§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of young people on youth training schemes as a percentage of entrants to the scheme since the summer of 1983.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAt the end of December the number of youngsters in training on the youth training scheme represented 84 per cent. of the number of entrants to the scheme since last April. The two figures are not strictly comparable, however, since the latter also records the youngsters who have transferred from one programme within the scheme to another.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of places on the Doncaster borough council's youth training scheme (a) on 31 December 1983 and (b) on 1 February 1984; what will be the number on 1 April 1984 and for the rest of 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonDoncaster borough council was providing 1,110 youth training scheme places on 31 December 1983, and the same number on 1 February 1984. The figures for 1984–85 have not yet been settled.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria he will use to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational part of youth training schemes; and what research he will undertake on this subject.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAll youth training scheme programmes are required to include a minimum of 13 weeks off-the-job training/education within a one year programme. The quality and effectiveness of this off-the-job provision is evaluated by Manpower Services Commission staff along with the other elements of each programme. Particular attention is paid to the relevance of the off-the-job provision to the rest of the training programme.
Area manpower boards and the Youth Training Board receive regular reports on the monitoring activities of MSC staff. At its next meeting the Youth Training Board will consider a proposed programme of research for evaluating different aspects of the scheme.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will extend the rights of trainees on youth training schemes to give them the protections enjoyed by employees under (a) the Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act and (b) the Agricultural Acts.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonPrior to the passage of the Health and Safety (Youth Training Scheme) Regulations 1983 which came into operation on 11 January, YTS trainees who were not employees were protected by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 but by different sections from the sections that applied to employees. The regulations were enacted to give such trainees exactly the same protection as employees under the Act and all other "relevant statutory provisions" continued in force by the Act. Included amongst the relevant statutory provisions are the Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 and the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956, as well as the regulations and orders made under these Acts.
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§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trainees on youth training schemes are taking City and Guilds part 1 courses.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many youth training schemes have been terminated on the advice of the Manpower Services Commission safety officers.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonOne scheme has been closed by the Manpower Services Commission on health and safety grounds in the period 1 October to 31 December 1983.